Thread-advancing reel



June 29,. 1948.

RJW. STANLEY THREAD ADVANCING REEL Filed July 17, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 29, 1948. RQ'W. STANLEY THREAD Anvucme REEL 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filad July 17, 1945 INVENTOR.

June 29,1948. R."w. STANLEY 2,444,071

' mam ADVANOING mam.

Filed July 17, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented June 29, 1948 THREAD-ADVAN GIN G REEL Richard W. Stanley, Drexel Hill, Pa., assignor to American Viscose Corporation, Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware Application July 17, 1945, Serial No. 605,496

15 Claims. (Cl. 28-71.6)

This invention relates to methods and threadadvancing reels which may be used for the production of a yarn store which is continuously advanced axially of the periphery of the reel during which time it may be subjected to fluid treatment in the manner and for the purposes conventional in the art. This application is in part a continuation of copending application Serial No. 496,543, filed July 29, 1943, now Patent No. 2,396,297, issued March 12, 1946, in part a continuation of copending application Serial No. 508,174, filed October 29, 1943, now Patent No. 2,403,031, issued July 2, 1946, and in part a continuation of copending application Serial No. 597,108, filed June 1, 1945, now Patent No. 2,404,005, issued. July 16, 1946.

It is a particula" object of this invention '00 pr: vide an improved thread-advailcin, reel. It is a further object of this invention to devise a reel which is adaptable to either a cantilever or double-end supported structure. It is a iurther object of the invention to provide a reel of this type based upon a structural principle, which, when embodied in a reel of large axial length, results in substantially uniform efficiency in thread-advancing action throughout the length of the reel, and at the same time is adapted to operation at high speeds of rotation of the reel. A further object of the invention is to provide an improved system for adjusting the thread-advancing frequency with respect to the rotation frequency of the reel. A further object of the invention is to provide an improved method of handling a thread or the like in the form of a helix. Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the drawing and description thereof hereinafter.

In the drawing, illustrative of the invention,

Figure 1 is a mid-section taken axially through one embodiment of the reel of thisinvention;

Figure 2 is a section taken on line IIII Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a section taken on line III--III of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a mid-section taken axially half way through another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 5 is a section taken on line V-V of Figure 4; I

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 4, showing a modified arrangement at the left end of the embodiment of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a sectional elevation of a form of reel of the invention supported from one end only; and

Figure 8 is a section on line VIIIVIII of Figure 7.

In general, thread-storing, thread-advancing reels of this invention-comprise a concentric set of spaced, longitudinally extending bars and an eccentric set of spaced, longitudinally extending bars interdigitating with and alternating between the bars of the first set.

Referring first to Figures 1 to 3, the threadadvancing reel comprises two sets of interdigitating bars, the bars 2 of one set alternating with and being spaced from and between the bars 3 of the other set. One of the sets comprising bars 2 is formed by suitably slotting the periphery of a housing formed of the telescoping hollow cylindrical members 4 and 5 of cup-like shape secured together by the bolts 6.

This set of bars 2 is rotatably mounted concentrically on a shaft 1 by means of ball bearings 8. One end of the shaft is provided with a cap 9 suitably secured thereto, as by the screw threads shown. The outwardly projecting portion of the cap 9 has a non-circular periphery and fits in a suitable support or hanger l0 having therein a rotatable bearing 9a having a recess 9b of a cross-section complementary to that of cap 9. The other end of shaft 1 is rotatably supported in a frame member Illa and a gear lllb keyed upon the shaft serves to drive it in either direction or to hold it stationary when desired. A collar 10c held in axial position on the shaft by the cotter pin l0d serves as a thrust bearing for the cap 90. Packings ll may be provided to prevent access of liquids to the bearings 8 of the concentric cage or housing.

The other set of bars 3 are divided into several groups (three being shown) those of each group being formed integrally as radial projections from a casting occupying roughly a segment of a circle. Since these three units are identical, only one is described. The segment has a transverse web l2 extending in a plane substantially at right angles to the axis of the reel. The web has an opening l3 which is sufllciently large to allow plenty of clearance about the transverse bolts 6 which secure the housing or cage carrying the concentric bars 2. As shown in Figure 2, the web I2 is provided with a pair of bosses l4 extending axially to both sides of the web. The bosses it have bores within which pins I5 are secured by nuts IS. The enlarged ends I! at the left of the pins l5 have shoulders bearing against a yoke 18 extending between the pair of bosses. The ends I! are slidably mounted in bores through the spider l9 and the other ends of pins I 5 are slidably mounted in similar bores of spider 29. A spring 2| within a recess in spider midway between the pinreceiving bores'therein normally presses the entire segment assembly to the left. A roller 22 secured to the yoke l8 bears constantly against the annular cam surface 23 of the cam 24 fixedly secured to the shaft 1. The spiders l9 and 29 are clamped in their appropriate positions upon the sleeve 25 by nut 26, spacer sleeve 21 being inserted between the spiders. The sleeve 25 is carried by bushings 28 and 29, which in turn are carried by the centrally located eccentric portion 30 of the shaft 1. A band of member 4 beyond the bars 3 and having reduced diameter may serve as a surplus thread-collecting ring.

Flexible sealing membranes 3| and 32 may be secured to the segments, the central sleeve assembly, and the concentric cage members (as shown) where it is desired to use the reel for fluid treatment of yarns and the like, and to prevent the entrance of the fluid into the work-- ing parts of the reel.

In Figure 1 there is shown in diagrammatic and on a disproportionately reduced scale (as compared to the size of the reel) a driving system for gear lllb comprising a motor 36, a variable speed drive 31, such as the conventional Reeves drive having belts or equivalent means operating between adjustably spaced conical faced pulleys, a tran mission housing 38 to reverse the direction of drive by swinging the lever 39, and the output gear in mesh with gear lllb, Any conventional forms of speed-varying and reversing transmission mechanism may be used for the driving purposes just outlined. A similar driving system may be provided for gear 33, if desired, to effect the receiving and delivery of thread at various speeds and to change the direction of travel of the helix axially of the reel.

Whereas the actuated bars 3 of the invention have been shown assembled in groups upon a plurality of segmental members, it is to be understood that each of the bars 3 may be mounted separately and may be provided with a cam follower to eifect its individual actuation axiall of bars 2 by means of the cam 24.

In operation, the gear lllb may be held in fixed position thereby maintaining the central shaft 1 stationary, and the concentric cage of bars 2 is driven by means of a gear 33 which meshes with gear teeth 34 formed or secured to one end of the concentric cage. The rotation of the concentric cage comprising bars 2 causes the rotation of the segment assemblies of bars 3 about the eccentric shaft 30. As a result of the fact that bars 3 rotate about an axis which is offset from the axis of the bars 2, the thread-carrying surfaces of bars 3 alternately project outwardly and recede inwardly from the periphery formed by bars 2. At the same time, rotation of the se ments carrying bars 3 with respect to the cam 24 causes axial motion thereof with respect to the bars 2. The arrangement of the eccentric portion 39 of the shaft and the cam surface 23 is so selected that shortly after bars 3 are caused to project outwardly from the periphery of the bars 2, the rise on the cam 24 shifts the bars 3 axially, which axial shift is maintained by a suitable dwell in the cam until after bars 3 have been caused to recede below the peripheral surface of bars 2, after which a drop in the cam surface 23 permits the spring 2| to return the segment to its original positions.

Operation in this fashion while holding shaft I stationary eifects a single complete thread-ad- '4 vancing movement per revolution of the reel bars. However, rotation of shaft I provides a means for modifying the pitch of the helical path followed by the'thread about the reel. Thus, rotation of shaft 1 in the direction opposite to the rotation of the reel bars and at the same speed causes the pitch to be twice that obtained when the shaft 1 is held stationary. Rotation of shaft 1 at half the speed but in the same direction as the reel bars produces a pitch of one-half that obtained when the shaft 1 is held stationary. Any relative speed may be imparted to the reel bars and the shaft 1 carrying the eccentric bearing means 30 and the means 24 for reciprocating the actuatable set of bars.

Referring now more particularly to the embodiment of Figures 4 and 5, the concentric set of longitudinally extending bar members 42 are constituted of a cylindrical-cage member having a flange 44 at one end and an annular member 43 at the other end thereof and being appropriately slitted longitudinally to leave spaces alternating between the bars 42 within which the bars 45 of the other set may be actuated. The cylindrical cagemay be clamped between end flanges or spiders 46 and 41 by suitable spaced cap screws 43. The system comprising the cylindrical cage and flanges 46 and 41 constitutes a housing which may have any axial length desired, and which may house the actuating mechanism for the other set of interdigitating bars 45. This housing is supported for rotation with respect to shaft 49 by means of suitable bearings 59 and 5|. Flange 41 may be provided with a. non-circular projection 52 which is adapted to fit in a corresponding socket 52' of a coupling 52a upon the shaft 52" which may be driven by the gear 52b keyed thereto. Secured to the shaft 49 is a suitable noncircular projection 53 adapted to be received by a correspondingly-shaped recess 53' in a coupling member 53a of a shaft 53" (analogous to 52a and 52") provided with gear 53b keyed thereto for driving it in a direction the same or opposite to that of projection 52. As the occasion may demand, rotation of shaft 49 provides a means of modifying the pitch of the helical path followed by the thread about the reel in the same fashion as mentioned above with respect to Figures 1 to 3. Normally, shaft 49 may be maintained stationary by not rotating gear 53b unless this pitch modification is found necessary. If shaft 49 is rotated at an equivalent speed but in the opposite direction as that of projection 52 the pitch will be twice that obtained when shaft 49 is held stationary. If shaft 49 is rotated at half the speed and in the same direction as projection 52 the pitch obtained will be one-half that obtained when shaft 49 is held stationary.

Two sleeves 54 and 55 are mounted upon the shaft 49 and are suitably spaced by the ring 56. The sleeves 54 and 55 have external cylindrical surfaces whose axes are askew and eccentric to the axis of shaft49 but parallel to each other. Upon each of the sleeves, a resilient spider member 51 is mounted, preferably by means of ball bearings 59. These spiders 51 are of a resilient material, preferably of thin spring metal, and have individual radially extending members 59 between opposed pairs of which the bars 45 are secured by suitable means, such as by the noncircular rod 60 embedded within depending portions of the bars 45 and the nuts 6| Skew plates 62 and 53 are also carried by the bearings 58 and have outer flanged portions 64 which bear against the ends of the rods 60.

Where it is desired to protect the main operating parts from any possibility of clogging and corrosion when the reel is used for subjecting the filamentary material to liquids, a flexible sealing membrane 65, such as of rubber or synthetic rubber, may be secured to the outer portion of the re.- silie'nt supporting means for the non-concentric bars and to the ends of the concentric cylindrical case as shown.

As shown in the modified form in Figure 6, the annular member 43 projects beyond the flange 46 and overhangs the outer rim of a stationary member 46, which surrounds the support 56a. The outer peripheral surface of the member 46' preferably slopes inwardly from its outer rim to a generally cylindrical portion, which serves to hold any accumulation of thread formed after breakage of the thread being handled by the reel or during lacing up of the reel or any machine comprising the reel. Occasionally. stray filaments also tend to gather on this member 46'. The collooting member 45' has a surface of sufficient axial extent to provide adequate storage space and ready access for the operator to remove the accumulated filaments or threads at his convenience without danger of injury to his hands, and

without the necessity either of stopping the reel or of giving it immediate attention when the above mentioned emergencies arise.

In Figure 6, the coupling 53a and attached shaft 53" is retractable from the coupling position shown. The shaft 53" is slidably and rotatably supported in a suitable bearing in the frame member 66 and a spring 61 normally urges the coupling 53a into engagement with member l3.

In operation of the reels of Figures 4 to 6, the skew plate flanges 64 cause substantial axial motion of the bars 45, such motion being imparted individually to each of the bars 45 by virtue of the individual resilient projecting members 58. By virtue of the eccentricity of the resilient-supporting means and the bars 45. the axial to and fro motion of the bars imparted by the skew plates is combined with a radial component of motion which alternately causes first the protrusion of the bars 45 outside the periphery of bars 2 and then their recession within that periphery, thereby resulting in the advancing of the thread axially of the reel.

Figures '7 and 8 show a modification in which the reel is supported from one end only and comprises two generally cylindrical members 10 and H. Member 10, which may be termed the concentric member is mounted concentrically upon and for rotation by and with the drive shaft 12 (which may be hollow as shown), as by pins 13 extending into radial recesses or grooves 14. The periphery of member 10 comprises bars 15. Member H which may be termed the eccentric member, is rotatably mounted on bearing 16 the surface of which has an axis eccentric and inclined to that of member 10 and has a periphery comprising a plurality of bars 21 disposed alternately and interdigitating with respect to bars of the concentric member 10. A gear 18 serves to drive shaft 12 and a gear 19 serves to rotate the bearing 16 about the external surface of a stationary supporting sleeve 80, which surface is concentrio with the shaft 12 and concentric member 10. A gear 8| integral with or attached to bearing 16 engages the gear 19 to be driven thereby. Optionally, the shaft 12 may be hollow and a thread-receiving member 82 may be stationarily supported upon a rod 83 extending through the shaft and secured to any suitable frame member 84. The member 82 may have a knob 85 to catch thread loops that may be discharged off the end of the reel.

As in the other embodiments, the eccentric and askew bearing sleeve 16 may be maintained in a stationary position or it may be rotated in the same or in opposite directions relative to the shaft 12 and the reel bars.

While the lengths of the reels shown are of the same order of size as their diameter, the reels may be made of any length, regardless of their diameter.

The various parts of the reel may be made of any particular materials desired. The construction of Figures 4 to 6 particularly lends itself readily to making the cylindrical cage members 43, the bar members 45 and bar members 42 associated therewith of materials which offer the most satisfactory bearing surface for the filamentary material to be handled thereby from the standpoints of smoothness, durability and/or resistance to corrosion under the influence of any liquids with which the filamentary material is to be treated while being advanced longitudinally of the reel, without making the remainder of the reel thereof. This is of tremendous importance from the viewpoints of initial and depreciation costs of such reels, since materials which best meet the requirements specified are generally considerably more expensive than related materials which would be fully adequate for all portions of the supporting structure of the reel other than those intended to contact the filamentary material. Thus, parts 42, 43 and 45 may be made of porcelain, Durez, Al Si Mag, etc., while such other parts as 46 and 41 may be made of Bakelite, stainless steel, etc. These latter parts need not be made :of materials which are entirely free of tendencies to be pitted or otherwise superficially altered by the combined action of corrosive chemicals and rubbing action of the filaments handled.

It is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Reel mechanism comprising a set of spaced, longitudinally extending bars rotatably mounted as a unit, a second set of spaced, longitudinally extending bars alternating with those of the first set, means for rotating the sets of bars, means for imparting relative motion between the two sets of bars to effect thread-advancing motion endwise of the reel comprising means for mounting one set of bars for rotation about an axis,

means for mounting the other set of bars about an axis eccentric to that of the first set and means for rotating the eccentric axis about the other axis,

2. Reel mechanism supported from one end only comprising a set of spaced, longitudinally extending bars rotatably mounted as a unit, a second set of spaced, longitudinally extending bars alternating with those of the first set, means for rotating the sets of bars, means for imparting relative motion between the two sets of bars to effect thread-advancing motion endwise of the reel comprising means for mounting one set of bars for rotation about an axis, means for mounting the other set of bars about an axis eccentric to that of the first set and means for rotating the eccentric axis about the other axis. i

3. Reel mechanism comprising a-set of spaced, longitudinally extending bars rotatably mounted as a unit, a second set of spaced, longitudinally the bars.

extending bars alternating with those of the first set, means for rotating the sets of bars, means for imparting relative motion between the two sets of bars to effect thread-advancing motion endwise of the reel comprisin eccentric bearing means for one set of the bars, said bearing means being rotatable about the axis of rotation of the other set of bars.

4. Reel mechanism comprising a set of spaced, longitudinally extending bars rotatably mounted as a unit, a second set of spaced, longitudinally extending bars alternating with those of the first set, means for rotating the sets of bars, means for imparting relative motion between the two sets of bars to efiect thread-advancin motion endwise of the reel comprising a rotatable member having an external peripheral surface eccentric to the axis of rotation of the first set and supporting means for the second set of bars rotatably mounted on the eccentric surface, and means for rotating the rotatable member, I

5. Reel mechanism comprising a set of spaced. longitudinally extending bars rotatably mounted as a unit, a second set of spaced, longitudinally extending bars alternating with those of the first set, means for rotating the sets of bars, means for imparting relative motion between the two sets of bars to effect thread-advancing motion endwise of the reel comprising a rotatable mem-. ber having an external peripheral surface eccentric to the axis of rotation of the first set and supporting means for the second set of bars rotatably mounted on the eccentric surface, and means for rotating the rotatable member in the same direction as but at different speeds than 6. Reel mechanism comprising a set of spaced, longitudinally extending bars rotatably mounted as a unit, a second set of spaced, longitudinally extending bars alternating with those of the first set, means for rotating the sets of bars, means for imparting relative motion between the two sets of bars to effect thread-advancing motion endwise of the reel comprising a, rotatable member having an external peripheral surface eccentric to the axis of rotation of the first set and supporting means for the second set of bars rotatably mounted on the eccentric surface, and meansfor rotating the rotatable member in a direction opposite to that of the bars.

7. Reel mechanism comprising a set of spaced, longitudinally extending bars rotatably mounted as a unit, a second set of spaced, longitudinally extending bars alternating with those of the first set, means for rotating the sets of bars, means for imparting relative motion between the two sets of bars to efiect thread-advancing motion endwise of the reel comprising a rotatable member haaing an external peripheral surface eccentric and inclined to the axis of rotation of the first set and supporting means for the second set of bars rotatably mounted on the eccentric surface, and means for rotating the rotatable member.

8, Reel mechanism supported from one end only comprising a set of spaced, longitudinally extending bars rotatably mounted as a unit, a second set of spaced, longitudinally extending bars alternating with those of the first set, means for rotating the sets of bars, means for imparting relative motion between the two sets of bars to effect thread-advancing motion endwise of the reel comprising a rotatable member having an external peripheral surface eccentric andinclined to the axis of rotation of the first set and supporting means for the second set of bars rotatably mounted on the eccentric surface, and means for rotating the rotatable member.

9. Reel mechanism comprising a set of spaced, longitudinally extending bars rotatably mounted as a unit, a second set of spaced, longitudinally extending bars alternating with those of the first set, means for rotating the sets of bars, means for imparting relative motion between the two sets of bars to efiect thread-advancing motion endwise of the reel comprising bearing means for one set of bars rotatable on an axis eccentric to that of the other set of bars, skew means for reciprocating the bars of said set, and means for simultaneously rotating the eccentric bearing means and skew means.

10. Reel mechanism for handling strands and the like comprising two sets of annularly arranged, longitudinally extending bars, the bars of one set alternating with those of the other, means for simultaneously rotating the bars of the two sets as a unit, means for imparting relative motion between the bars of the two sets to effect advancing motion of the strand endwise of the reel comprising rotatable bearing means for the bars of one set having an axis eccentric to the axis of rotation of the other set, and means for rotating the eccentric bearing means.

11. Reel mechanism for handling strands and the like comprising two sets of annularly arranged, longitudinally extending bars, the bars of one set alternating with those of the other, means for simultaneously rotating the bars of the two sets as a unit, means for imparting relative motion between the bars of the two sets to effect advancing motion of the strand endwise of the reel comprising rotatable bearing means for the bars of one set having an axis eccentric to the axis of rotation of the other set, and means for rotating the eccentric bearing means in a direction opposite the direction of rotation of the bars.

12. Reel mechanism for handling strands and the like comprising two sets of annularly arranged, longitudinally extending bars, the bars of one set alternating with those of the other, means for simultaneously rotating the bars of the two sets as a unit, means for imparting relative motion between the bars of the two sets to effect advancing motion of the strand endwise of the reel comprising rotatable bearing means for the bars of one set having an axis eccentric to the axis of rotation of the other set, and means for rotating the eccentric bearing means in the same direction as but at a different speed than the bars.

13. Reel mechanism for handling strands and the like comprising two sets of annularly arranged, longitudinally extending bars, the bars of one set alternating with those of the other, means for simultaneously rotating the bars of the two sets as a unit, means for imparting relative motion between the bars of the two sets to eifect advancing motion of the strand endwise of the reel comprising rotatable bearing means for the bars of one set having an axis eccentric and askew to the axis of rotation of the other set, and means for rotating the eccentric and askew bearing means.

14. Reel mechanism for handling strands and the like comprising two sets of annularly arranged longitudinally extending bars, the bars of one set alternating with those of the other, means for simultaneously rotating the 'bars of two sets as a unit, means for imparting relative motion between the bars of the two sets to effect advancing motion of the strands endwise of the reel comprising rotatable bearing means for the bars of one set having an axis eccentric to the axis of rotation of the other set and at least one rotatable skew plate for reciprocating the eccentric bars, and means for rotating the eccentric bearing means and the skew plate.

15. Reel mechanism for handling strands and the like comprising two sets of annuiarly arranged, longitudinally extending bars, the bars of one set alternating with those of the other, means shaft.

RICHARD W. STANLEY. 

